Hurd still unclear on council role in youth services

Speaking at the Confederation of Heads of Young People’s Services (CHYPS) in London on Monday, Hurd said he wants to “tap into” some of the innovative work carried out by council youth services, but he was unable to provide a complete answer when asked for more detail by an audience member.??

Hurd said: “I’m feeling my way on it, so I don’t have a complete answer.

“I’m not going to change the statutory duty [on local authorities to provide youth services]. What I am interested in exploring is a kind of evolution from what I think has often been the core offer, which is local authorities delivering core services to the possibility of different options.??

“We are looking at being more open, trying to open minds to what is needed and what the best role of the local authority is in supporting that.”?

Responsibility for the youth portfolio was transferred to the Cabinet Office from the DfE in July, and Hurd said his priorities have been focused on giving young people a voice and helping them to develop life skills.

Despite the lack of detail on the role of councils, David Wright, CHYPS chief executive, told CYP Now that he was "quite encouraged" by Hurd's handling of the brief.

“He is approaching this with a degree of vigour which is welcome," Wright said. "The opportunity to learn what is going on out there is welcome.”??

But shadow education minister Rushanara Ali criticised the government’s treatment of the youth portfolio.??

She said: “This is a government that has shown contempt for this sector by casting it aside in the Department for Education and stuffing it into another department.

“We need to make sure that this sector is strong, it’s dynamic, it’s vibrant and it helps to build the skills of young people.?? At the Labour party, there is no question that this is an absolutely vital sector.”